scholarly journals The role of serum Galectin-3 levels in patients with sarcoidosis

Author(s):  
Kaan Kara ◽  
Seda Tural Onur ◽  
Sinem Nedime Sokucu ◽  
Ozlem Kahya ◽  
Cengiz Ozdemir ◽  
...  

introduction: Galectin-3 is a multi-functional protein and previous studies have suggested that levels of serum galectin-3 increase in the presence of diseases that progress with pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, the role of galectin-3 levels in the staging and assessing of the severity of sarcoidosis is investigated in the present study. Methods and Subjects: The present study was conducted on a total of 73 subjects, including 25 healthy individuals and 48 patients with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of sarcoidosis in which other potential causes had been ruled out. Galectin-3 levels of all subjects were measured and compared in terms of such parameters as hemogram, biochemistry, age, body mass index and smoking status. Intervention: In our study, no intervention was made to the patients. Main Outcome Measures: The mean galectin-3 levels of the sarcoidosis patients (14.87±5.57) were significantly higher than those measured in the healthy subjects (11.81± 2.67), and themean galectin-3 levels differed significantly among those at different stages of the disease (p<0.05). In particular, the average level of galectin-3 sarcoidosis patients had grade 2 and above significantly higher. Results: In addition, serum galectin-3 levels in the sarcoidosis patients had significant positive correlations with blood BUN, ALP, WBC, RBC, HGB and neutrophil levels (34.9% [p<0.05]; 40.1% [p<0.05]; 41.2% [p<0.01]; 43.3% [p<0.01]; 34.7% [p<0.05] and 40.6% [p<0.01], respectively),and a significant negative correlation with PDW levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: Serum galectin-3 levels are significantly elevated in sarcoidosis patients with parenchymal involvement at stages 2 or higher, suggesting that serum galectin-3 levels can be used to estimate disease severity in sarcoidosis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e9-e9
Author(s):  
Zahra Lotfi ◽  
Abbas Ali Zeraati ◽  
Elaheh Dashti ◽  
Tina Zeraati ◽  
Maryam Arghiany ◽  
...  

Introduction: Systemic bacterial infections are a common cause of mortality and morbidity in hemodialysis patients. Zinc has a critical role in several immune system functions. Patients who have enough amounts of zinc are able to better face infections caused by various pathogens in comparison to those with zinc insufficiency Objective We sought to assess the role of zinc deficiency in dialysis-associated bacterial infections. Patients and Methods: Eighty-Three adult patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis including 43 patients with bacterial infectious complications and 40 non-infected patients as well as 41 healthy individuals were enrolled. Clinical data, laboratory values including serum zinc level and imaging findings were collected. SPSS was utilized to analyze the data with a significance cutoff set at P < 0.05. Results: Out of 124 participants, 80 (64.51%) were males and 44 (35.49%) were females. The mean age of infected hemodialysis group, non-infected hemodialysis group, and healthy controls were 50.8 ± 16.25, 49.1 ± 18.1, and 56.3 ± 18.2 years, respectively. Catheter site infection (37.3%) and urinary tract infection (30.2%) were the most common infections. The mean serum zinc concentration was significantly lower in the infected patients, compared to non-infected patients and healthy individuals (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The ESRD patients on hemodialysis have lower serum zinc levels which are associated with increased risk of bacterial infection. The role of screening for zinc deficiency and use of supplemental zinc in these patients need to be studied.


2020 ◽  
pp. 027623662095628
Author(s):  
Damla E. Aksen ◽  
Craig Polizzi ◽  
Steven Jay Lynn

We evaluated variables important to understanding dissociation ( N = 379 undergraduates). We investigated: (a) the correlations among dissociation and impulsivity, alexithymia, mindfulness, negative affect, neuroticism, sleep disturbances, and emotion dysregulation; (b) unique variance of these variables in statistically predicting dissociation scores; and (c) the statistical mediational role of emotion dysregulation and sleep in explaining dissociation. We found significant positive correlations between dissociation and emotion dysregulation, sleep, alexithymia, negative affect, impulsivity, and neuroticism as well as a significant negative correlation between mindfulness and dissociation, consistent with Lynn et al . Sleep, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and negative affect uniquely related to and explained significant variance in dissociation, in order from most to least variance accounted for. Sleep partially mediated the relation between emotion dysregulation and dissociation and the relation between impulsivity and dissociation. Emotion dysregulation partially mediated the relation between sleep and dissociation and the relation between impulsivity and dissociation. Additional findings provided support for bidirectional relations between sleep experiences and dissociation and emotion dysregulation and dissociation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (7) ◽  
pp. E81-E86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Surmeli ◽  
Ildem Deveci ◽  
Hasan Canakci ◽  
Mustafa Salih Canpolat ◽  
Burak Karabulut ◽  
...  

In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and the morphometric properties of auricula and its acoustic gain characteristics. A total of 45 participants between 18 and 45 years of age were enrolled into the study. Participants’ height and weight measurements were recorded for the BMI calculation. On both sides, the morphometric properties of the auricula were measured and recorded. Additionally, the participants were subjected to multidirectional dynamic real ear measurements (REMs) to specify the intensity and frequency values of the maximum hearing gain. Participants consisted of 24 women and 21 men. The mean BMI was 23.42. The mean auricular area was 22.70 cm2. Statistically significant positive correlation was found between the auricular area and BMI ( r = 0.427, P = .03). The mean postauricular sulcus angle was 20.99°. The mastoid-helix distance was 16.07 mm. There was no statistically significant correlation between BMI level and postauricular sulcus angle and mastoid-helix distance ( P > .05). The mean dynamic REM measurement was evaluated. The maximum acoustic gain at anterior, lateral, and posterior vectorial stimulation was calculated as 20.9, 24.2, and 20.7 dB Sound Presure Level (SPL), respectively. Statistically significant negative correlation was found between the three directions acoustic gain level and BMI in the statistical examination ( r = −0.365, r = −0.386, r = −0.453, respectively, and P < .05 for all). The results of acoustic gain frequency were 2967.4, 2963, and 2934 Hz, respectively. There was no statistically significant correlation between acoustic gain frequency and BMI ( P > .05). When participants were grouped according to their BMI, participants with a BMI >25 had a statistically significantly bigger auricular area and lower maximum acoustic gain when compared with those with BMI <25 ( P < .05). We found that the auricular area increased with BMI. We think that this is related to soft tissue thickening of the auricula related to high BMI. In addition, we found that the acoustic gain level decreased inversely with BMI. We believe that the decrease in acoustic gain is due to the increase of acoustic resistance after the increase of soft tissue thickness. In conclusion, we think that BMI has a negative effect on auditory function according to findings in our study.


Author(s):  
Ashwini Shenai ◽  
Savitha G

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common health problem worldwide. According to third national health and nutrition examination survey criteria, about 47 million people have MetS. It is defined as having three or more of the following five risk factors including abdominal obesity, increased triglyceride levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose levels. These components of MetS are major risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) also. CKD is a major public problem and it is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Hence, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the association between MetS and CKD.Methods: A total of 50 patients reporting to Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals were enrolled into the study which includes 25 patients with MetS and 25 healthy individuals. 5 mL of venous blood was collected and centrifuged. Then, it is analyzed for fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum triglycerides, serum urea, and creatinine using the standard kit method. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using the SPSS software.Results: The mean body mass index, FBS, serum creatinine, and triglyceride levels were higher in MetS patients in comparison to healthy individuals. The mean body mass index (BMI), FBS, serum urea, serum creatinine, and triglyceride levels in the control group and MetS group were 27.75±3.67, 84.8±12.5, 17.52±5.2, 0.91±0.17, and 96.5±60.13 and 35.14±4.25, 108.8±34.69, 21.4±5.9, 1.0±0.14, and 239.76±51.21, respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean BMI, FBS, urea, creatinine, and triglyceride levels of the above group.Conclusion: Serum urea and creatinine levels were significantly higher in MetS individuals. Hence, MetS could be a one of the risk factors for the development of CKD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinhui Ma ◽  
Wanshou Guo ◽  
Zirong Li ◽  
Bailiang Wang ◽  
Shirui Li ◽  
...  

The recently discovered IL-33 as an IL-1 cytokine family member has been proved to be specifically released from osteonecrotic bones. We aimed to investigate the potential role of IL-33 in the development of osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH). Forty patients diagnosed with ONFH and forty age-, sex-, and body mass index- (BMI-) matched healthy subjects were included in this prospective study between March 2016 and September 2016. A commercially available ELISA kit was used to test the level of plasma IL-33. The IL-33 levels were compared among different ARCO stages, CJFH types, and etiology groups. Plasma IL-33 levels were significantly higher in the ONFH patients than that in the control subjects. The levels of IL-33 did not differ significantly among the ONFH patients with different ARCO stages. The IL-33 levels of patients with CJFH type L3 were significantly higher than that of patients with types L1 and L2. No significant differences were observed in IL-33 levels between steroid-induced, alcohol-induced, and idiopathic patients. Our findings seem to indicate that IL-33 effects may be detrimental during ONFH, which appeared to be associated with the prognosis of ONFH. The IL-33 deserves particular attention in the pathogenesis of ONFH.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhouping Zou ◽  
Yamin Zhuang ◽  
Lan Liu ◽  
Bo Shen ◽  
Jiarui Xu ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: To explore the association of body mass index (BMI) with the risk of developing acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery (CS-AKI) and for AKI requiring renal replacement therapy (AKI-RRT) after cardiac surgery. Methods: Clinical data of 8,455 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including demographic preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected. Patients were divided into underweight (BMI <18.5), normal weight (18.5≤ BMI <24), overweight (24≤ BMI <28), and obese (BMI ≥28) groups. The influence of BMI on CS-AKI incidence, duration of hospital, and intensive care unit (ICU) stays as well as AKI-related mortality was analyzed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 53.2 ± 13.9 years. The overall CS-AKI incidence was 33.8% (n = 2,855) with a hospital mortality of 5.4% (n = 154). The incidence of AKI-RRT was 5.2% (n = 148) with a mortality of 54.1% (n = 80). For underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese cardiac surgery patients, the AKI incidences were 29.9, 31.0, 36.5, and 46.0%, respectively (p < 0.001). The hospital mortality of AKI patients in the 4 groups was 9.5, 6.0, 3.8, and 4.3%, whereas the hospital mortality of AKI-RRT patients in the 4 groups was 69.2, 60.8, 36.4, and 58.8%, both significantly different (p < 0.05). Hospital and ICU stay durations were not significantly different in the 4 BMI groups. Conclusion: The hospital prognosis of AKI and AKI-RRT patients after cardiac surgery was best when their BMI was in the 24-28 range.


2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Machado Seixas ◽  
Daniela Miti Tsukumo Seixas ◽  
Monica Corso Pereira ◽  
Marcos Mello Moreira ◽  
Ilma Aparecida Paschoal

OBJECTIVE: To determine the probability of oxygen desaturation in healthy individuals undergoing the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT). METHODS: We enrolled 83 healthy subjects: 55 males (including 1 smoker) and 28 females. We determined pre-ISWT FEV1, FEV6, HR and SpO2, as well as post-ISWT HR and SpO2. RESULTS: Mean values overall were as follows: age, 35.05 ± 12.53 years; body mass index, 24.30 ± 3.47 kg/m2; resting HR, 75.12 ± 12.48 bpm; resting SpO2, 97.96 ± 1.02%; FEV1, 3.75 ± 0.81 L; FEV6, 4.45 ± 0.87 L; FEV1/FEV6 ratio, 0.83 ± 0.08 (no restriction or obstruction); incremental shuttle walk distance, 958.30 ± 146.32 m; post-ISWT HR, 162.41 ± 18.24 bpm; and post-ISWT SpO2, 96.27 ± 2.21%. In 11 subjects, post-ISWT SpO2 was higher than was pre-ISWT SpO2. In 17 subjects, there was a 4% decrease in SpO2 after the ISWT. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with and without post-ISWT oxygen desaturation in terms of age, gender, FEV1, FEV6, FEV1/FEV6, pre-ISWT SpO2, incremental shuttle walk distance, HR, or percentage of maximal HR. In the individuals with post-ISWT oxygen desaturation, the body mass index was higher (p = 0.01) and post-ISWT SpO2 was lower (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Healthy individuals can present oxygen desaturation after the ISWT. Using the ISWT to predict subtle respiratory abnormalities can be misleading. In healthy subjects, oxygen desaturation is common after the ISWT, as it is during any intense physical activity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 943-949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ł. Gawęda ◽  
K. Prochwicz

AbstractBackgroundThe role of psychosis-related cognitive biases (e.g. jumping to conclusions) in a delusion continuum is well-established. Little is known about the role of types of cognitive biases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of psychosis-related and “Beckian” (i.e. anxiety- and depression-related) cognitive biases assessed with a clinical questionnaire in the delusion continuum and its dimensions.MethodsSchizophrenia patients with (n = 57) and without (n = 35) delusions were compared to healthy subjects who had a low (n = 53) and high (n = 57) level of delusion-like experiences (DLEs) on the Cognitive Biases Questionnaire for Psychosis (CBQp). Delusion dimensions in the clinical sample were assessed with the semi-structured interview PSYRATS. DLEs were measured with the Peters Delusion Inventory (PDI).ResultsHigh DLEs participants scored significantly higher than low DLEs, and patients with delusions scored higher than patients without delusions on the total scores of the CBQp. High DLEs participants scored significantly higher than low DLEs on catastrophisation and JTC. Schizophrenia patients with delusions scored significantly higher when compared to patients without delusions on intentionalising, dichotomous thinking, JTC and emotional reasoning. Patients with delusions and high DLEs participants scored similarly on JTC. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that catastrophising predicted total severity of clinical delusions and JTC predicted the cognitive dimension of clinical delusions. Both JTC and catastrophisation predicted the frequency and conviction associated with DLEs.ConclusionsBoth “Beckian” and psychosis-related cognitive biases may underlie delusions. Different aspects of clinical delusions and delusion-like experiences may be related to different cognitive biases.


Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lannuzel ◽  
M. Vancoppenolle ◽  
P. van der Merwe ◽  
J. de Jong ◽  
K.M. Meiners ◽  
...  

Abstract The discovery that melting sea ice can fertilize iron (Fe)-depleted polar waters has recently fostered trace metal research efforts in sea ice. The aim of this review is to summarize and synthesize the current understanding of Fe biogeochemistry in sea ice. To do so, we compiled available data on particulate, dissolved, and total dissolvable Fe (PFe, DFe and TDFe, respectively) from sea-ice studies from both polar regions and from sub-Arctic and northern Hemisphere temperate areas. Data analysis focused on a circum-Antarctic Fe dataset derived from 61 ice cores collected during 10 field expeditions carried out between 1997 and 2012 in the Southern Ocean. Our key findings are that 1) concentrations of all forms of Fe (PFe, DFe, TDFe) are at least a magnitude larger in fast ice and pack ice than in typical Antarctic surface waters; 2) DFe, PFe and TDFe behave differently when plotted against sea-ice salinity, suggesting that their distributions in sea ice are driven by distinct, spatially and temporally decoupled processes; 3) DFe is actively extracted from seawater into growing sea ice; 4) fast ice generally has more Fe-bearing particles, a finding supported by the significant negative correlation observed between both PFe and TDFe concentrations in sea ice and water depth; 5) the Fe pool in sea ice is coupled to biota, as indicated by the positive correlations of PFe and TDFe with chlorophyll a and particulate organic carbon; and 6) the vast majority of DFe appears to be adsorbed onto something in sea ice. This review also addresses the role of sea ice as a reservoir of Fe and its role in seeding seasonally ice-covered waters. We discuss the pivotal role of organic ligands in controlling DFe concentrations in sea ice and highlight the uncertainties that remain regarding the mechanisms of Fe incorporation in sea ice.


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